The Royal Television Society (RTS) Awards nominations have been announced and with a combination of acclaimed populist shows such as Broadchurch and more niche, critically acclaimed programming, this is a commendably sensible list which favours genuine quality over photo opportunities.

Within the British TV industry, the RTS Awards are second only to the TV Baftas, the nominations for which will be announced on April 7. Voted for by a panel of experts from across the TV industry. there are 26 categories covering all genres including TV, comedy, documentary, news, soap and sport.

Several of the nominations are sure to be echoed at the Baftas. Broadchurch,Chris Chibnall’ssublime murder mystery is up for four nominations, including a showdown for its lead actressesOlivia Colman and Jodie Whittaker. David Tennant, however, has failed to secure a Best Actor nomination. That honour has gone to Stephen Dillane for The Tunnel, Idris Elba for Luther and Lennie James for Run. At least two of these would almost certainly be overlooked in flashier ceremonies.

Other high-profile shows - Educating Yorkshire, Game of Thronesand Gogglebox - also get nods, but the RTS Awards are unique in championing smaller programmes which don’t draw large audiences. Among these are E4’s cult and critical hit My Mad Fat Teenage Diary and Imagine… Vivian Maier: Who Took Nanny’s Pictures?, a fascinating look at the Chicago nanny who spent much of her life photographing American street life.

In an industry seemingly obsessed with ratings and the need to create TV brands, the RTS Awards’ insistence on championing smaller shows is to be applauded. It is unlikely that the Baftas will resist the pulling power of nominating Tennant orHelena Bonham Carter(miscast in Burton and Taylor), but it remains to be seen.